Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

[Eslam Elbyaly]

Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

Hi,
Why "pen" and "book", not other words?

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

Are you talking about words we use to make sure our listener knows which letter we need them to write? If so, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of options. We don't all use the same words.

My name is Peter Parker. That's "P" for pen/piano/planet/pumpkin/porridge/pancake etc at the start of my surname.

(Most people won't have any trouble spelling Peter, but they could mishear Parker as Barker.)

Of course, there is the standard NATO phonetic alphabet which some of us use in all situations.

A: What's your name?
B: Sylvia Plonnetti
A: Can you spell that for me please?
B: Sierra, Yankee, Lima, Victor, Indigo, Alpha. Then Papa, Lima, Oscar, November, November, Echo, Tango, Tango, Indigo.
A: Thanks.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

Here's the full list:

 

[Eslam Elbyaly]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

Why to use a list to spell my name? Why not just say the letters.
Instead of saying "Sierra, Yankee, Lima,", Why not just say "S, Y, L"?

Why is there a list if the problem is only with letters "B" and "P"?

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

That's not the only problem. People frequently mix up S/F, P/B/V/D, D/E, M/N, especially when spelling words or names over the phone. By using the phonetic alphabet, the listener is left in no doubt as to which letter is required.

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

The number nine is pronounced niner in aviation and military contexts. Some sticklers pronounce five as fife but you won't hear that in American civilian circles much. This distinguishes nine from five.

 

[AirbusA321]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

The number nine is pronounced niner in aviation and military contexts. Some sticklers pronounce five as fife but you won't hear that in American civilian circles much. This distinguishes nine from five.

And "three" is pronounced "tree".

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

And "three" is pronounced "tree".

I forgot that one. In my experience, it isn't done in civilian circles.

 

[AirbusA321]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

I've often heard it over airband radio and also use that pronunciation myself. But it depends very much on where you are and who is talking.

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Why is it said "b" for "book", and "p" for "pen"?

I should have written in civilian circles in the United States. I don't know about usage in the rest of the world.